JAMNAGAR: The controversial Aamir Khan film Fanaa was released in Gujarat on Tuesday in the presence of a strong police contingent in a single cinema owned by a high-profile Congress family.

The first show with just about 30 per cent ticket sales was held at 3.30 p.m. at the Amber talkies amidst a demonstration by the BJP, led by city mayor, Manhar Jhala. The theatre is owned by Vimal Madam, son of the former Congress MLA, Hemat Madam. His uncle, Vikram Madam, is the sitting Congress MP from Jamnagar.

Mr. Vikram Madam, who along with his nephew was present when the first show was screened, however, claimed that his party was not involved in the decision to release Fanaa. Describing the BJP Yuva Morcha's opposition to the film's release as caused by the "ego clash" between the BJP and Mr. Khan, he said the people should be allowed to decide whether they wanted to see the film or boycott it.

He said he was a strong supporter of the Narmada dam project and if anyone opposed it or hurt the sentiments of the people of Gujarat, "I will be the first to oppose him. But the BJP made Fanaa a prestige issue even after Mr. Khan made it repeatedly clear that he was neither opposed to the dam nor the people of Gujarat. Can the Supreme Court be asked to apologise for talking about the proper rehabilitation of the dam oustees? Why insist on Mr. Khan apologising to the BJP for saying the same thing?"

BJP workers staged a demonstration for an hour in front of the theatre, but did not prevent any movie-goer.

Mr. Madam said he would not be cowed down by any threats from the BJP to stop screening the film. It would be taken off only if there was no response from the people. Before the commencement of the show, state BJP Yuva Morcha president Amit Thaker, requested Mr. Madam not to screen the film as a show of unity with the people of Gujarat.

Later, Mr. Thaker said the film was released because the theatre was owned by a "Congress family." He said the Congress apparently had "turned against the Narmada" and the party would have to "explain to the people" its stand on the "lifeline of Gujarat."

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